07-31-09

Have you heard of Farm Town? It is a very addicting on-line farming game. Anastasia and I harvest and plow each others crops. Tonight my coffee fields are ready, as are her raspberries.

At work on breaks we talk about our real gardens since we all grow vegetables. Sometimes forget the line between reality and cyberspace and am tempted to discuss my Farm Town happenings.

“I have a farm and I love it there. There's really nothing to do, but even watching the chickens, its fun.” -Salma Hayek

07-30-09

What a difference a day makes! And how odd to be embracing rather than complaining about high 80’s!

Anastasia is being baptized at summer camp tonight, and I would have loved to be there, but it also feels right to be here in my hometown on this gorgeous evening: walking laps around part of the lake, chatting with friends, listening to the concert, looking for interesting photo angles.

“It's not a fancy place. It's comfortable and homey.” Ann Harrington

07-29-09

Bruce was really disappointed to be missing the beets. NOT!

Recipe:
Plant beet seeds in winter.
As they grow, harvest greens to add to salad.
When the pink produce pops out of the ground, harvest.
Boil for one hour; skin will slide right off.
Cube and grill with butter, salt, and pepper.
Enjoy!

It even gets the house smelling like borscht. Yep, Bruce is really missing out…

"The beet is the most intense of vegetables. The radish, admittedly, is more feverish, but the fire of the radish is a cold fire, the fire of discontent, not of passion. Tomatoes are lusty enough, yet there runs through tomatoes an undercurrent of frivolity. Beets are deadly serious."

-Tom Robbins

07-28-09

Eating alone at a sit down restaurant. Awkward!

I think the chances are slim that I will ever get my family to Berry Fields in Centralia.

Reason #1: Why would you eat there when there is a perfectly good Taco Time nearby?
Reason #2: They close at 5pm, which severely narrows our options.

So I decided to go there alone tonight. I spent the day in Aberdeen and stopped in Centralia on the way home (shhh, I also did some outlet shopping!). The waitress said “enjoy your lunch” when she served me, but it was really an early dinner.

“I don’t think people yearn for love because they hate staying home alone on a Saturday night or because they dread going to restaurants alone. They want someone to look past the surface or stuff like bad hair days, a too-loud laugh, or potato chips crunching in their living room couch when anyone sits down. ~ Lois Smith Brady

07-27-09

Do I look like I’m melting?

I like to watch national news in the morning from the treadmill. This morning they were discussing the heat wave in the Pacific Northwest.

I have to admit I wore a sweater most of the day. I am always cold in our office, no matter the temperature outside.

Right after work I decided to weed the garden, and it didn’t take long for sweat to start rolling down my brow. There was a slight breeze, but I decided to water my poor choking plants and hightail it inside. It felt cool inside, but after awhile I started sweating, just sitting still! I had forgotten to turn on the AC when I got home from work! Cranked up the cold air and did my evening workout.

Now hoping I can sleep tonight, and that the rest of the family is not too overheated. Xander is a heat wimp; he wants to live in Antarctica.

“If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?” -Stephen Wright

07-26-09

Today church was at the center of our activities.

In the morning we had a special service and congregational meeting to vote in our new Associate Pastor. Meaning that the Associate Pastor Search Committee is disbanded as of next week and I get my life back! Plus we get an energetic, thoughtful, and fun new pastor! Double yay!

In the afternoon Bruce and the kids headed off to a week long youth summer camp at Mt. Hood. I went to church to watch the festivities for awhile, but am so glad I won’t be dealing with massive driving, rock climbing, muck wars, 80’s hairstyles, or teen drama this week.

FYI: The only Fischer in the photo is Xander, and his back is to the camera.

07-25-09

I spent a big chunk of the day in bed.

On Thursday the sun really fried my back, and time is making it feel worse rather than better. I didn’t sleep last night, couldn’t nap today, and haven’t found much relief. Usually the aloe vera goop is my hero, but today a water bottle with ice water is the only thing that is at all helpful.

I did pull myself together for a church BBQ. Where’s Waldo – can you find Bruce and Xander? Bonus points- Anastasia is mostly hidden.

“Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” -Robert Gary Lee. Wisdom = keep reapplying that sunscreen!

07-24-09

I took a photo of the half empty suitcases and huge laundry pile, but this photo of the kids on the plane ride home was too cute to not publish.

The hard part about coming home is figuring out what to do first.

Download e-mail: 664 at home, 273 at work.
Walk around the garden marveling at how much things have gown.
Slather aloe vera on sunburned parts after spending a travel day aggravating them.
Grocery shop and chop melon & kiwi for breakfast tomorrow.

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.” ~John Ed Pearce

07-23-09

Today was our last day in Southern California. I hate the going home part.

We had scheduled to go to the tidepools today, but that would mean getting up at 5am to hit the low tide. We decided that we were on vacation and didn’t want to do that.

So we spent the whole day at the beach. We all have some sunburn to show for it, but it was a perfect day. This was the first time this trip that the shovel came out; Xander built a fort with a moat and a hot tub, with some help. Anastasia read her Christy Miller book between dips in the ocean.

“To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.” - Isaac Newton

07-21-09

We rotate theme parks over the years, but we almost always make a visit to Knott’s Berry Farm. We like that it has thrill rides, shorter lines, and reduced evening admission.

Today Bruce took the kids for all day, and the grandparents and I joined them at 4pm.

This year we weren’t as impressed with the park; we may not keep this tradition. Their new Pony Express ride was interesting, but several rides were broke down and the employees couldn’t seem to keep the lines moving.

This photo is Grandma and the kids on the swing ride. Grandma only rides the tamest rides!

07-21-09

Trips are part tradition and part new experiences.

Today our tradition to reenact was the kids and grandparents taking the dinghy to Jamba Juice. Bruce and I take the car and meet them there. No jellyfish this trip, but still loads of fun.

Our new experience was having pizza delivered to us right on the beach. We saw another group doing this a few days ago while we were walking the peninsula, and thought it would be cool. It was fun, although more novel for us than the pizza delivery guy.

“Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.” -W. Somerset Maugham

07-20-09

Today’s adventure was Universal Studios.

Since we like to be at our destination right when it opens, we hit the road by 7am. Surprisingly, traffic was moving for a change, so we had an hour to kill before the park opened!

I had everyone rate the rides and shows throughout the day. On a scale of 1-10, the Simpsons motion simulator ride was an eleven, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon musical rated a zero.

This photo is the family with their 3D glasses, ready for Terminator. I enjoyed the Shrek show in 4D better, but I was in the minority.

“Only the public can make a star. It's the studios who try to make a system out of it.” – Marilyn Monroe

07-19-09

Here’s Bruce catching a wave.

The waves were bigger today; some of them chewed us up and spit us out. It was great fun for about an hour; then we walked the 2 blocks to the calmer waters.

I call Anastasia surfer girl and Xander runner boy. I’m kind of glad he runs for dry sand when the biggest waves are approaching; one less person to worry about! Anastasia seems quite content to boogie board or body surf, and didn’t seem to be drinking as much salt water as the rest of us.

“On vacations: We hit the sunny beaches where we occupy ourselves keeping the sun off our skin, the saltwater off our bodies, and the sand out of our belongings.” -Erma Bombeck

07-18-09

I have to admit that I will never “get” constellations.

During our 2005 California trip we tried to go to Griffith Park Observatory, since Anastasia shows some interest in science. At that time it was closed for it’s $93 million four year renovation.

We almost didn’t go again this trip; we aren’t enjoying the Southern Cal traffic. But we got there right when it opened this morning and had a few pleasant hours of filling our heads with various factoids.

A few things I learned today:
More people have looked through the sky through the big telescope at Griffith Observatory than through any other telescope on earth. It has free admission and stressed education, so I can see why.
Griffith, the man the park was named after, had Griffith for his first and last name. This cracked me up since Bruce was pushing for Fisher Fischer instead of Xander.
This is the week of the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo landing on the moon.

This photo is the family and my mom at the pendulum, a mesmorizing exhibit right at the entrance.

“Nature is relentless and unchangeable, and it is indifferent as to whether its hidden reasons and actions are understandable to man or not.” Galileo Galilei

07-17-09

Xander thought this photo was a dumb blog choice (given all the other photos I have to choose from), but I really like it. Bruce and I spent a bit of time people-watching to pass the time. We contemplated renting an umbrella and beach chairs, but found the various benches comfortable.

When I was sitting watching the dinghy’s go back and forth between boats and land and watched people walking down the main street, this colorful umbrella with the historic Avalon casino in the background caught my eye.

What a relaxing trip to the island this has been!

“At times our lives seem like that of a tranquil island in a sea of chaos. The battle is to keep this sea of chaos at bay and not let it wash us away into utter chaos.” Sanjeeva Ananthan

07-16-09

Here I am on the glass bottom boat tour we took shortly after landing on Catalina Island.

When I was in high school I spent a week at marine biology camp at Catalina. My most vivid memories (besides being freezing cold from all the springtime snorkeling) was the bright orange Garibaldi fish.

The fish is named after the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi (who famously wore a bright shirt in battle), is the California state fish, and is most commonly seen off Catalina Island.

I was thrilled to see them swimming in the lovely blue water as soon as we disembarked from the ferry, and we saw many more on the boat tour.

Memory... is the diary that we all carry about with us. ~Oscar Wilde

07-15-09

Hit the beach!

This afternoon we played at the ocean and bay sides of the peninsula. We had four boogie boards this year. The waves weren’t very big, but that meant less salt water swallowed and less sand in our swimsuits, so it’s all good!

It was fun to soak up the sun, and the water wasn’t THAT cold.

You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf. - Jon Kabat-Zinn

07-14-09

Santa Monica Blvd., Sunset Strip, Hollywood & Vine, Rodeo Drive.

We were there today. But we’re learning that if the GPS says we are 30 minutes away, we are really 90. Tomorrows plans have been cancelled due to traffic.

But today’s adventures were worth the trip. We saw the Hollywood sign, had lunch at a wonderful deli, drove around Beverly Hills, walked down the Hollywood walk of fame, explored three tourist trap museums, got both the guys new hats, and had In-‘N-Out burgers for dinner. I don’t get it, but I can eat there once each trip.

“Oh look, there’s a Beverly Hills Chihuahua!” – Xander, seeing a Chihuahua on Beverly Dr.

07-13-09

We made it to California! Here we are getting ready to board our teeny tiny United Express jet at SeaTac. It was a long travel day with lots of grumpy family members, but a pretty uneventful journey.

Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Jerry met us at the airport with our rental. We had an early dinner and did a nature walk at Bolsa Chica wildlife reserve. Now Grandma and the kids are making Dirt Cake, with Bird screaming her head off and Dog refusing to stay out of the kitchen.

“You hate and despise human beings, and at the same time you cannot be happy without them.” – Peter Altenberg, To The Coffee House poem.

07-12-09

The thunderstorm we woke up to this morning didn’t slow down the fire boys. There were still paper plates, sticks and rubber bands to torch before our outdoor church service!

I, on the other hand, was cold and ready to pack it in for the next adventure.

“You know it’s raining when Michele moves away from the heat source.” – Bruce

“Camping: nature's way of promoting the motel industry.” ~Dave Barry, Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need

07-11-09

Who brings a tiara for camping?

Anastasia packed a ton of stuff for the weekend and managed to have it strewn all over the yurt. Taking to other parents, though, we are not alone in this phenomenon.

We saw her junk more than we saw her; the kids were off with the other camp kids most of the weekend. They returned when they were hungry- the collective group roasted s’mores (with chocolate and chocolate frosting), powdered donuts, Dough Babies, pigs in blankets, sausage, and Jiffy Pop popcorn. And folks with more camp cooking patience than I (I have none, I guess) made the kids Kraft macaroni and cheese.

Not sure I’d call it “family camping” with us off in different directions, but it was a fun weekend for all.

"The fire is the main comfort of the camp. It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness." ~Henry David Thoreau

07-10-09

I successfully extracted myself from the office! Woo-hoo! Worked 46 hours this week, which is the first week to break my New Years resolution of keeping it at or under 45 hours a week, but I’ll have the next 80 hours off!

I got home to the kids bouncing off the walls, especially Xander. May as well take advantage of the energy!

“All I need are the shoes and I’m mini-Bruce.” -Xander

07-09-09

Why is it so much work to take vacation? Seems like you have to sell your soul scurrying around before you go trying to get everything ready, then spend another few weeks after the trip digging out of the mess.

There are just not enough hours in the day. Tonight I had a hair appointment (it is always so FLAT after my hairdresser is done with me!) then a date with my laptop to try to get more office work done. Now I need to finish packing and fall into bed exhausted.

I guess the plus side is that things get so bad right before the vacation that you are extra happy to be walking away from it all!

“Traveling is a fool's paradise... I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea and at last wake up in Naples, and there besides me is the stern fact, the sad self, unrelenting, identical, that I fled from.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

07-08-09

Our house has been a hub of activity, as we get ready to go on our trip. People running to and fro, lists on top of lists, three back-to-back trips to prepare for.

Insert into that a month end, finalizing Money files, and the “budget discussions”. One side thinks food prices are way up. Another side thinks we are just way out of control on eating out, dessert, coffee, and grocery trips.

It seems to be easier to flitter away to another activity or try to drum up another FarmTown neighbor than deal with any of this real life stuff.

“For the last 21 months, food manufacturers, restaurants and livestock producers have been absorbing significant costs that in my view are likely to be passed on to consumers in 2009 and beyond,” - Bill Lapp, economist

07-07-09

Here's my happy zucchini. I also have happy lettuce, spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, beets, tomatoes, and pepper. And marigolds from seed are starting to bloom.

Today I seem to be a little distracted with my pretend garden at Farm Town. As if my real garden isn't enough work, I have a computer farm too! Ack!


'IDLENESS, n. A model farm where the devil experiments with seeds of new sins and promotes the growth of staple vices.”
Ambrose Bierce

07-06-09

I asked for a family photo for my blog shot tonight. Xander complained, we just did one. Then I said with us juggling oranges. What?!? I have a quote with oranges. It was entertaining trying to capture non-jugglers with a photo timer.

Bruce moved the couch today to make room for video equipment. He's having way too much fun with his new video camera. It won't be staying this way, but it does change the look of the room.

"If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable - each segment distinct." - Letty Cottin Pogrebin

07-05-09

The girls have had the spotlight, so here are the guys instead.

It wasn't as warm today, but we headed to the spray park in town before all the relatives headed out of town. Here's Xander and Sam after goofing off in the water, thinking their boy thoughts.

"Boys are beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between the ages of 18 months and 90 years."James Thurber

07-04-09

Happy 4th!

Here’s Molly and Kayla waiting for the parade to start. Add Sam, Diana, Bruce Sr. and Renee, and we have a houseful of extra people!

Even though parking and traffic become impossible, we love living so close to the lake for the festivities. The parade, cardboard boat races, food booths, kiddie inflatables, and fireworks are all in easy walking distance.

Party on!

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! ~Daniel Webster

07-03-09

Operation take more photos was a marginal success today. I got 3 photos. Which doesn’t sound like a lot, but beats the zero I often have lately at 10pm.

I didn’t take any photos when I met up with friends for afternoon coffee. I didn’t get any photos of my everyday activities- exercising, packing for vacation, making greeting cards, slicing fruit. I didn’t get any photos when Shannon and I met for dinner and a movie.

I did start the day with a photo of my feathery baby carrots first thing when I was in the garden. Midday, I got photos of my family members wearing their “Go Fourth” buttons. So why is Bruce only an overachiever when it comes to totally irrelevant things?!?

“An achiever must never mind an occasional absurdity, it is an occupational risk.” - Oswald Mosley

07-02-09

I vow to take more photos tomorrow. I've really been slacking.

Today I missed the perfect photo. I decided not tot go back for my camera. "We're just going to lunch". Well, we ended up eating lunch at an adorable little sidewalk cafe table downtown. Olde Creekside, my favorite place to get a yummy salad. Would have been a great photo.

I also vow to not spend a ton of time on Facebook tomorrow. Lynette has dubbed it a neverending destroyer of productive time, and I highly value productivity. Starting out, I just want to check out so many profiles; especially the people I haven't stayed in touch with.

“I'm surprised at how much Facebook.com has burrowed itself into real life along with instant messaging, text messaging and e-mail, ... It's another reason to be on the
Net. So many people come back because it's fun and useful. They use it to find people, they meet people, organize a party and so many other things.”
- Chris Hughes

07-01-09

Guess who joined Facebook today? I'm on overload! So many high school friends. And relatives. And oodles of friends all over the state. How to decide how close is close enough to accept or ignore?!? There are 193 Alexander Fischers and I have no idea which one is my son!!! :)

So what do you do when you've been such a creep that you lose TV privileges? Flip through old scrapbooks, evidently. Back when my pages were really different... This is how I found the kids when I drug myself away from my constantly changing Facebook wall.

"I have nothing else to do." - Xander
"I actually WANT to look at them." - Anastasia